A Warrior's Burden
The snow drifted in wisps through the air, landing lightly on the ground. White powder lay as a blanket over the earth and gathered on the branches of trees and the tops of headstones. The wind blew, slightly ruffling the thick collars of a group of men walking through the cemetery. They marched on in procession with heavy feet treading the snow underfoot. A white tiger frequented the side of the first of the men. The tiger held a bough of flowers in its mouth as it trudged along solemnly. The sun was breaking through the clouds as the men stopped at a small memorial stone erected a year before in honor of a dear friend. The first man placed his hand on the tiger and stroked its back.
"Alright Whiteblaze." He said patting the tiger's side twice.
Whiteblaze stepped forward and dropped the bough of flowers at the foot of the memorial. The men stood in silence for a moment.
"We came to give you an update, Kento," said the first, his hand still resting on the tiger. "I'm sorry to say there hasn't been much action. I know you'd like to hear about a fight. It's been peaceful, and we're all enjoying it while it lasts. I've the same request as before, say 'hello' to my mother for me."
After he finished speaking the second stepped forward.
"Sorry, I don't have much more to say than Ryo. I am enjoying the break," he said in a calm voice. "Take care of yourself over there on the other side, and thanks for never giving up on me."
The two other men stood and said a few words in regards to their friend. The group lingered for a while, standing and saying nothing to each other. They were thinking, one about old times when they were younger and faced the world as friends united for a common purpose, another about his friend who he would never see again; the other about the future, and the last was mindfully battling his own demons of anger and frustration. At length, they all turned and began to walk away.
"It's hard to believe it's been a year isn't it?" Ryo said, trying to look his friends in the face, but ultimately turning his head back to the ground.
There was no response.
"That was nice what you said back there, Cye," one of them said eventually.
"Thanks, Rowen," Cye said. "I must say, I agree with Ryo. So much time has passed since…since everything happened, it's difficult even to think about."
The group was silent once again. They continued to walk and as they did the snow ceased to fall and the sun began to peek through the clouds only to be pushed out of view a moment later.
"An entire year," Ryo echoed with a twinge of resentment in his voice.
In the year that had passed since Kento's death, the men had begun to see themselves as set of decommissioned heroes. They were soldiers, but friends before that, and they pictured losing one of their own as a failing for each of them in their own respective ways. Neither would discuss their self-disgust, confusion, hatred, or emotional discomfort openly, but they could sense it almost intuitively within one another. However, they were all unaware of the extent to which it consumed each of their individual lives.
"It would be nice if these clouds would clear out," The fourth man said.
"The weather is predicted to be like this for the next two days, Rowen." Another responded.
"I never liked cloudy days, you know that Sage. They always seem to say that something bad is going to happen." Rowen said.
"Yeah, I know," Sage said. "But the weather can't be helped."
Rowen nodded his head in silent agreement.
"What's going to happen to Kento's armor?" He asked after a while.
"I'm not sure," Ryo said as he kicked up some snow in front of him. Everyone had been trying to avoid the subject, but they knew it was bound to be mentioned. "Not even Kayura seems sure of what will happen. These aren't exactly the armors of the ancient, but I'm sure they're somehow connected."
"There's not doubting that," Sage added. "As it is, we've only had the one battle to exercise the abilities of our new armors. Who knows what their nature is? There's no way of telling. Though, I think this discussion would be best suited for another time."
Ryo paused for a moment to think.
"Yeah, I you're probably right." He said.
As the group neared the entrance to the cemetery they all agreed to meet up again soon to discuss their future. They parted ways after a round of cordial handshakes and a few well-wishes.
Ryo returned home to his flat, he leaned himself into his door as he opened it and closed it softly behind him. He walked around his couch and stared out a large window opposite the wall from the entrance. His gaze was distracted by a small light blinking on his answering machine, situated on top of a small table in front of the doorway to the kitchen, indicating that he had a message. The message was from Mia, apologizing for not being able to join him at the cemetery today, and asking him to come to her house as soon as he could. Ryo left after grabbing himself something to eat and reassessing a sense of lingering doubt that kept resurfacing in his mind.
He arrived at Mia's house in the outskirts of the city and knocked on the door, there was no answer. He pushed the door open and looked around to find the house empty. He entered and climbed the staircase on his right, he found Mia in a room of of the hallway upstairs plugging away at her computer, images of the Ronin armors flashed on and off of the screen. He paused for a moment and looked around the room at the various pieces of armor hanging on the walls. He remembered how it was not too long ago that he and his friends had spent so much time in this house having many discussions in this room about a variety of issues from battle tactics to personal stories shared with each other.
"So, what is it you wanted to see me about, Mia?" Ryo said approaching his friend from behind.
Mia gave a small jump at the sound of voice, but was calmed once she turned saw Ryo standing there.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in, I've become so engrossed in my research."
"What research?" Ryo asked.
"Well," Mia began. "I was reviewing information on how each of you told me you received your original armors. Needless to say, I was getting nowhere. Then I thought about it, it's so simple. These new armors didn't seek you, nor did you discover them…they were given to you…"
"What do you think the significance of that is?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but it could prove to be important in discovering what the nature of them is…" Mia said.
"Does this have anything to do with the armor of Hardrock?" Ryo ventured to ask. "Because if it does, I'd rather we discuss this at a time when all of us are present."
Ryo was referring to his friends. He did not feel comfortable discussing the designs of the Ronin Warriors, as they were called, without the other Ronins themselves.
"But now that the subject has been brought up, I think we should discuss it, Ryo of Wildfire," said a womanly voice from behind him.
"Kayura," Ryo said a little startled.
Kayura stepped further into the room. The rings on the staff she held shook as she moved. Kayura had obviously aged since her last meeting with the Ronin Warriors. Her face had developed a maturity that had been absent before taking on her role as the Ancient One.
"I thought Kayura may be of help," Mia said. "I consulted with her before talking to you, Ryo."
Ryo felt a little betrayed by this confession, but decided to leave it for now.
"What is your take on this Kayura?" Ryo asked, crossing his arms. He felt as though he had been purposely left out of an important discussion that related directly to his life. His feelings were not entirely unfounded.
"When that woman, Suzunagi, took it upon herself to create the new armors it was no decision of mine, or the armors for that matter." Kayura explained. "Whether you were initially willing to or not, the five of you received them. I have been brooding over this for sometime now. I believe it would be the will of the ancient's philosophy for me to choose the next bearer of the armor of Hardrock."
Ryo stiffened at Kayura's last remark.
"What a minute Kayura, the Ronin Warriors know these armors better than anyone. If anything, this should be up to us." He said defensively.
"You're going to have to trust my judgment Ryo, I may select the person, but it would be up to you to properly train them in the ways of a Ronin Warrior. Now, have you all kept the armor well guarded?"
"Yes." Ryo said, still a little reluctant to comply with Kayura's decision. He was still thinking about how the rest of the Ronin Warriors would react. However, he knew that the will of the Ancient One was wise and had always helped guide their spirits as warriors. "But…" He started again, "you have not considered the armor itself, about six months ago it began reacting to something, and it's developed a glow."
"Odd." Kayura thought for a moment. "You must bring me to it."
Ryo decided to comply with Kayura's request.
"Alright," He said. "Sorry, Mia, you're going to have to stay here."
"But.." Mia began.
"No one, not even you, should know the location of the armor, it's too risky."
"I understand."
Outside of Mia's house Ryo led Kayura into the woods. The walked fairly deep into the thick of the trees until they reached a small grove where couple of trees stood like sentinels around a small cave.
"Kento used to come here to train." Ryo said as he led Kayura into the cave. "We figured this would be the safest place to keep the armor, not even we knew about it until just before…"
Ryo paused as he looked to the end of the cave and saw a light pulsating from within. He returned with the orb which was necessary to summon the armor of Hardrock in his hand.
"You were correct Ryo," said Kayura. "It is behaving most strangely." Perhaps it is seeking a new warrior."
Ryo looked hardened for a moment. A year still wasn't enough time for everything to sink in.
"Ryo I want to show you something." Kayura said. "I need to let you know that I have been searching out a few prospects."
"Prospects?" Ryo said as little confused.
"But we need to make out way into the city"
"The city?"
After returning to Mia's, Ryo and Kayura borrowed Mia's car made about a half an hour car trip into the city. They received a few awkward glanced from passing drivers as Kayura's staff rested partially outside of the car window. When they began walking through the city streets they were unable to avoid the curious glances from pedestrians.
Finally, the two of them appeared in front of a building with a sign that read Sozo Teahouse. The teahouse was obviously an old building with the traditional curves and angles of feudal Japanese architecture. The aging structure was a modest two-tiered building with a porch that extended around all four of its sides. Two half-moon windows in the front were currently shaded by blinds. The small teahouse was dwarfed by the two other buildings that stood on either side of it, they had once been competing teahouses but were remodeled into shops as part of a redevelopment project that been established in the area a few years ago. As a result, they were more modern-looking but still resembled the older looking structures, mimicking the wavy roof lines and other conventions of the older architecture. A single lamp-post stood in front of a short staircase leading up to the porch of the Sozo Teahouse. Kayura began to walk up the steps when Ryo stopped her.
"Why did you bring me here Kayura?" Ryo asked.
"Follow me." She replied. "There's someone who you should see."
"Listen Kayura, if we're going to make any decisions today I'd rather have the guys with us."
"There's no need to make any decision yet, Ryo. Just follow me."
The two of them entered the teahouse. Ryo looked around and took in the busy scene that surrounded him. The inside of the teahouse was one large open room with two rows of six low wooden tables spaced evenly down the expanse of the floor. Four private booths were nestled on the left and right hand sides of the room with sliding doors. The walls were shaded in a warm yellow color with painted lavender wisteria vines stretching in a wistful pattern along them. A large mural on the farthest wall, where the doorway to the back of the teahouse was situated, depicted the scene of a woman, holding a paper umbrella while crossing an arched bridge over a small pond and gazing into the water at her reflection as cherry blossoms fell from the trees surrounding her.
At least six persons could sit at every table. Though not every seat was filled there was enough bustle and conversation in the room to create an atmosphere of constant movement among the servers and clients. Ryo did not feel overwhelmed by the moving environment, the voices stayed at a soft personal level as the customers spoke to one another, sipping their tea and eating their meals. A thin, dark-haired boy of about fifteen came to greet them. He wore a blue kimono which only emphasized his small frame and awkwardly board shoulders, he led them to a table near the large mural and bowed asking them if they needed anything.
"Just tea, thank you." Kayura said and dismissed the boy.
He bowed again and walked away.
"I have been doing some research of my own in the months since Kento's death." Kayura began.
Ryo shifted uncomfortably on his floor cushion, and rested his arms on the table's cold surface.
"I have been closely watching various young men from the ages of thirteen to twenty. That boy you just saw is the one I have singled out to be the next possible possessor of Kento's armor."
"He's just a kid." Ryo blurted out.
"He's no younger than you were when you became a Ronin Warrior. He's been properly trained as a fighter by his grandfather who happens to own this teahouse…"
Ryo still felt uneasy. There was something that seemed awkward about the whole situation. He almost felt as though he was tainting Kento's memory, but he had to remind himself that this was for the good of the team and the Ronin Warriors. As it was, Ryo was thinking about the reaction the guys were going to have to this. Now, more than ever, he felt the need to talk with them.
"What about these other boys you're talking about? Why this one?" Ryo was interested to know if Kayura knew what she was doing.
Kayura could see that Ryo did not completely trust her and explained:
"I had three other boys who looked promising. However, neither of them made an impression on me as much as this young man."
"What's his name?" Ryo asked.
"Kasai Sozo, as you can tell he comes from a prominent family, but you wouldn't be able to tell by his manners, he's very humble," said Kayura.
"That almost sounds like Kento." Ryo thought to himself. "So, what of these other three?" He asked aloud.
"The first was about eighteen and was a champion in many tournaments in and around Tokyo. He was a good fighter, and he knew it too. However, when he finally advanced into higher level fighting arenas he let his overconfidence bar his judgment and eventually finished on the bottom rung of participants in the tournaments. His folly was that he was too prideful.
There was another young man, who did finish on the top in the same circuit as the first. I only gave him consideration because of his abilities though. What he lacked in character and morality he seemed to make up for in fighting, but I realized that, for him to be a Ronin Warrior, this could not be the case. Yes, this young man moved onto the next level, but he was eventually disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct in and outside of the ring.
The final boy I would guess was the youngest, thirteen. He didn't fight as often as the other two because he lived on a small rice farm. He would often go off and practice by himself and he showed real promise until his accident a few weeks ago."
"What happened?" Ryo asked.
"His leg was run over by a cart at the market. It's not likely he'll ever be able to use it properly again, poor child."
Ryo felt a small pain of remorse for this young boy he never knew, struck down even before the prime of his life.
"So," Kayura continued. "I have decided that Kasai would be an almost ideal candidate to train, he's still young, moldable, and familiar with the fight."
Ryo considered Kayura's words as he watched Kasai walking back towards them with some tea on a tray. Kasai, suddenly lost his footing as he tripped over an old man's cane resting against a table in front of him, spilling the tea all over the floor.
"Ai! Boy watch where you're going!" The old man yelled.
A distinguished looking older man came out from the back of the teahouse in response to the commotion. He had a heavy brow and a head of long white hair fastened with a tie. This was Kasai's grandfather, Ookami Sozo.
"Ookami, I'm not going to ask you again to keep this grandson of yours in line! Clumsy, clumsy boy." The old man said bitterly.
"My apologizes sir. Kasai!" Ookami said sternly. "You need to learn to be more careful, clean up this mess and finish helping your customers. I will see you afterward."
Ookami disappeared again into the backroom. Kasai bowed to the old man whose cane he had tripped over.
"My apologies sir." Kasai said in a calm tone. "I will learn to be more careful in the future. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to make amends for my mistake."
"He's not quick to anger like Kento." Ryo noted silently. "I suppose we'll find out whether that works to his advantage."
"You'll learn!" said the old man. "You'll need to learn a lot more to get by in life. Do as your grandfather said, and get to cleaning up this mess, and bring me more sake."
Kasai apologized to Ryo and Kayura and assured them that he would have their tea just as soon as he finished mopping up that which he had "so carelessly spilled."
"How exactly did you find him?" Ryo asked turning to Kayura.
"As I said, he was one of the many I came by in my search. How, is a story for anther time, he did stand out though. You saw the way he interacted with that man when he spilled the tea. He has an innate ability to control himself. It is not only in this instance that he has shown this." Kayura said.
Ryo thought for a moment. From what he could perceive, Kasai did not have any attributes of a warrior. He was a little small for his age and seemed rather unsure of himself. After he had finished cleaning, Kasai brought Ryo and Kayura their tea.
"My apologies again for the delay," Kasai said as he began to take the tray away. "If there is anything you need, please notify me."
"Kasai, before you go I would like to speak with you a moment." Kayura said quickly.
"I would like to oblige you Kayura, but first I must speak with my grandfather." Kasai said politely.
"Of course."
Kasai walked into the back of the teahouse past the kitchen and shelves of tea cups from all over the country. His grandfather was somewhat of a collector of tea cups and on his frequent visits into the different regions of Japan he liked to pick up new and interesting cups. Kasai reached the very back of the teahouse in which a small space had been set up with a desk for his grandfather to use for business purposes.
Presently, Kasai found his grandfather sitting in the cramped space behind his desk pouring over books of the teahouse's finances. The space was poorly lit, as only Ookami's small desk lamp served as a source of light for the small backroom. Smoke drifted from Ookami's long-handled pipe as he flipped through the pages of the ledger in front on him, scowling as he smoked. Kasai approached slowly.
"You wanted to speak with me grandfather?" He said bowing respectfully.
Ookami took another long draw from his pipe.
"Kasai," he murmured. "I would appreciate it if, in the future, you would be more careful around our customers."
Kasai fiddled with his long kimono sleeve for a moment.
"With all due respect sir…." He began.
"I know it was not your fault." Ookami interrupted, he did not sound angry. "However, Mr. Sing is an important person and business man. Just make sure you are especially hospitable to him today."
Ookami saw from his grandson's expression that he was struggling with the idea of pleasing such an unpleasant individual.
"He is, I think, a rather unhappy man." Ookami added calmly.
He waved his hand, signaling that Kasai was free to go. Kasai bowed again and left his grandfather piping like a chimney and continuing to stare grimly at his books. Kasai walked back through the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of sake from the shelves. When he returned to Mr. Sing's table the old gentleman was just as honory as before and snorted when he saw the young boy offer the bottle of rice wine to him.
"I hope this is complimentary," said Mr. Sing gruffly.
"It is, sir," Kasai said through his teeth and forcing a smile.
Mr. Sing took the bottle greedily and began to pour a large amount of sake for himself.
"Well, don't sit there staring at me boy. Go clean up more of whatever messes you may have made."
"Yes, sir."
Kasai walked with a bit of a heavier step after leaving Mr. Sing and returned to Ryo and Kayura's table.
"What was it you wished to speak with me about Lady Kayura?" He asked politely.
Ryo had been observing Kasai's interaction with Mr. Sing and could see that he had some fire in his eyes from the want to cause some form of bodily harm to the old business man.
"Kasai," said Kayura. "This is Ryo Sanada, he's a colleague of mine."
Kasai bowed deeply, Ryo simply nodded.
"Kasai," she started again. "How long has your grandfather been training you?"
Kasai was not sure of what Kayura meant. Of course, his grandfather meant for him to take over the teahouse business after he passed on, anyone who came to the teahouse knew that, he ventured to guess that this is what Kayura was referencing.
"My grandfather has been teaching me the ways in which teahouses…"
Kayura understood where Kasai was heading with his response.
"That's not what I mean," she said waving her hand. "Would I be correct in assuming that he has trained you to fight?"
Kasai was a little surprised, no one knew about his grandfather's training him. The fact was that his grandfather never allowed him to fight outside of their own home, in a tournament or otherwise. Nor did he allow Kasai to attend a proper school of martial arts. He never gave a reason, but had always assured Kasai that he was not receiving any lesser quality in training by not attending a school in which, "The fighting lessons were so monotonous and the fighting styles so widespread that any youth sparing with another was sure to figure out his opponent's moves within two matches." This was his grandfather's belief at least. Kasai responded slowly to her question.
"You would be correct," he said with caution in his voice. "If you wouldn't mind me asking, how did you know of my grandfather training me?"
Kayura did not wish to discuss the matter at the moment and pressed another question upon him.
"And for how long had you been in training?"
"Seven years," he said robotically. "But how….?"
Kayura could see he was going to persist on knowing where she received her information.
"Your grandfather was a great fighter himself in his day. You do not expect me to believe that he would not pass onto his only male heir a few of his fighting techniques?" Kayura said hoping this would satisfy his curiosity.
Kasai figured that this response made sense. At one point in time, Ookami Sozo ruled the ring in the tournaments throughout Japan. He had been one of the top ranking fighters, and was regarded as a master of his craft. Old age and slight rheumatism were the only factors that drove him away from the ring. In truth, Kayura had been watching sparing matches between Kasai and his grandfather for months, unbeknownst to either of the Sozo men.
"Are you confident in your skills?" she asked.
Kasai answered with what he thought was an appropriate response.
"I believe I still have much to learn." He said safely.
"And have you ever fought with anyone other than your grandfather?" Ryo asked abruptly.
Kasai hesitated. Inwardly, he believed that his answer would weigh heavily upon Ryo's impression of him.
"No, I haven't." He said.
Ryo averted his eyes from Kasai for a moment, enough for Kasai to see that he was slightly put-off by what he had just said. Ryo looked at Kayura and was silent.
"Thank you, Kasai." Kayura said and dismissed him.
"It was nice to meet you." Kasai said as he bowed to Ryo.
Ryo nodded in return and Kasai returned to the back of the teahouse. Kasai's grandfather was standing in the doorway to the tea-cup room waiting for him.
"What were those two talking to you about?" He asked.
"They were asking me about fighting, grandfather." Kasai said promptly.
Ookami's forehead creased and he told Kasai to continue his work.
"You do not seem to have much faith in the boy," Kayura said to Ryo.
"I hardly know him, Kayura." Ryo said.
"You may discuss this with the other Ronin Warriors. In the meantime, Ookami, the boy's grandfather, has reluctantly agreed to let him train with you after his lessons during the week. I am waiting only for your decision, Ryo."
Ryo was surprised that Kayura had already looked so far into Kasai's future as a potential Ronin Warrior, she obviously placed great trust in the his abilities, but this only made Ryo more uneasy. He sipped the last of his tea and stared into his cup for a moment. Ryo's mother had once told him that some people use tea leaves as a means to read their fortunes. From what he could see at the bottom of his cup, the idea was utter nonsense. There was nothing but specks of black clinging to the sides and pooling at the bottom. How could anything so ridiculous enter the mind of a sensible person? Tea leaves were not what would make this decision, or determine his future or Kasai's for that matter. Ryo felt that the pressure of decision-making weighing hard upon his shoulders.
"It would be best if you would notify me as soon as possible." Kayura said.
"I'll let you know." Ryo responded sullenly.
The next day Ryo met with his friends.
"Another Ronin Warrior, so soon?" Cye said in shock. "Ryo, when did you speak with Kayura about this?"
"Just yesterday," Ryo said. "But I told her I wanted to talk with you guys first."
Ryo was sincere. He had felt uneasy the entire time he and Kayura were at the Sozo Teahouse the day before.
"I would hope so," Sage said. "What do we know about this kid?"
Ryo could see that his friends were angered by his timing, waiting until the next day to call them to his place and notify them about the recent dealings between Kayura and a possible Ronin Warrior. There was not much he could do though. He had spent the better part of the night after he and Kayura separated walking around the streets of Tokyo and assessing his thoughts on the matter. Certainly, the guys could understand that he was not taking the idea of a "replacement" so lightly.
"Only that his name is Kasai Sozo, and that he's been trained to fight." Ryo said calmly.
"You're lucky we hadn't left town yet, Ryo." Sage said as he leaned himself against a wall, crossing his arms. "This is something that we need to discuss as a group."
"Don't you think I understand that? I called you all here didn't I?" Ryo was becoming a little frustrated. "What we should be focusing on right now is this kid, Kayura's seems to think he's got something."
"Yeah, but from what you were saying, Ryo, he's never been in a real fight." Rowen said.
"As far as I know, he hasn't."
Ryo knew Kasai's true fighting experience would be an issue, he had counted it against Kasai himself when he had heard it initially.
"So, what are we sitting around here for? There's no questioning this decision, he's not ready to be a Ronin Warrior." Rowen said a little too quickly and earnestly.
"Kayura suggested training him." Ryo said.
"Where would we find the time to do that?" Cye said. "We've all got our own lives, and he his. There's now guarantee he'd be ready if another enemy were to show up, and there's the matter of bringing someone else into this, do we really want to interrupt this boy's life? We didn't have a choice, but from his vantage point, he does!"
Ryo was beginning to feel as though a great cloud was creeping over everyone's conscious. He knew, and they knew, that this argument was getting them no where. Maybe they were all just arguing for the sake of arguing, to postpone any decision making.
"If you look at it that way, Cye," Sage began, "what other option do we have we're out a team member either way we look at it."
Ryo felt a slight relief when Sage spoke those words, and a tad bit of reluctance to agree with him as well.
"We don't want to rush into anything, Sage," Rowen added.
"That's not what I'm suggesting at all, but it has been a year and as much as I can't imagine anyone else fulfilling our, and Kento's duty, the fact is Kento is gone and we are not prepared for another battle." Sage responded cooly.
"You're right, Sage," Ryo said. "I don't think any of us are willing to let Kento's memory die, but that's not what we're doing here guys. Like Sage said, we're making this step for the Ronin Warriors."